Volume One, Chapter 113: A New Lead

Charlie smiled faintly. “Indeed. After all, as a Super-A-Class Spirit Master, there probably isn’t anything in this world capable of harming you.”

“I hope that one day, I’ll be able to act without any reservations too,” Charlie added.

He had always concealed his identity from his family simply because he did not want them to worry about him. After all, people in their line of work—especially someone who had risen to the position of vice president of an association—were constantly surrounded by danger.

“By the way, I met President Xu again this morning. He told me you seem to be looking for the descendants of a family named Nalan,” Charlie said.

Chi Xingwan was not surprised. Whenever she had free time, she buried herself in the library archives to search for information. She had even asked Xu Hengyang and Dai Luming about it directly, so all the senior members of the Spirit Master Association knew that she was searching for the descendants of the Nalan family.

At times, they would even offer her information on their own initiative.

Still, she was somewhat surprised that Xu Hengyang had mentioned it to Charlie, and that Charlie had brought it up with her here.

“That’s right. I am looking for them. Do you know any descendants of the Nalan family, Uncle Charlie?”

Charlie shook his head. “Not exactly. But I once saw an antique with the two characters ‘Nalan’ engraved on it. I honestly don’t know whether it belonged to the Nalan you’re searching for.”

Chi Xingwan exchanged a glance with Xiao Yue before asking, “Uncle Charlie, could you tell me where that antique is now?”

“Of course,” Charlie said. “About a year ago, I attended an exhibition in the Lan Kingdom. It was held by a Hua national who had immigrated to Lan many years ago. That was where I saw the piece.”

Charlie remembered that he had taken note of the antique because it was covered by a thin layer of spiritual energy.

Some ancient objects could indeed possess spiritual energy, but such cases were uncommon. That was why Charlie had studied the piece for a long time and still remembered every detail of it.

When he saw the documents concerning the Nalan family on Xu Hengyang’s desk at the tower that morning, he had casually asked about them.

Xu Hengyang had told him that the Nalan family was the one Chi Xingwan was searching for. He was merely helping to gather information from historical records and organize it for her convenience.

“It was an ivory-carved Buddha pendant, with the word ‘Nalan’ engraved on the back,” Charlie said.

Xiao Yue hurriedly asked, “Uncle Charlie, would you be able to help us contact the collector?”

Charlie looked at him, and Chi Xingwan explained, “Xiao Yue is actually a descendant of the Nalan family.”

“I see.” Charlie suddenly understood. “Then you must have something important to deal with. I’ll try to get in touch with the collector for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle Charlie,” the two said in unison.

Charlie smiled. “There’s no need to be so polite with me.”

After they parted ways, Xiao Yue drove while Chi Xingwan sat in the passenger seat, in an excellent mood.

“I didn’t expect to gain something extra today.”

Xiao Yue was in a good mood too. He smiled, then quickly suppressed the curve of his lips.

“Once we get in touch with the collector, will you be going to the Su Kingdom?”

“Of course,” Chi Xingwan replied. “Even if it isn’t a descendant, a relic of the Nalan family that possesses spiritual energy could still help you and Shi’an.”

Xiao Yue rubbed the jade thumb ring on his finger. Back when Chi Xingwan had put it on him, the amount of time he could remain awake each day had increased from one hour to two.

“It’s just a pity that I can’t go with you.” Xiao Yue’s voice was muffled with disappointment.

Chi Xingwan looked at him, her eyes curving with amusement.

“Little Xiao Yue has to stay home and guard the house. Come on, tell me what gift you want. Big Sister will bring it back for you.”

Xiao Yue’s heart skipped a beat, especially when he heard her call herself “Big Sister.” For a moment, he even suspected that his identity as Daidai had been exposed.

While they waited at a red light, he glanced quickly at Chi Xingwan and saw nothing unusual in her expression.

It was probably just ordinary teasing.

He relaxed and replied, “Just buy whatever you think is suitable, Big Sister.”

Chi Xingwan looked out the window and burst into laughter.

With the New Year approaching, school had already let out for the holidays, and many companies had begun their vacations as well. After calculating the dates, Chi Xingwan moved out of the Chi residence the day before Yang Jing was discharged from the hospital.

She moved into the Xiao family’s home.

Secretary He came to the entrance to receive her. “Originally, President Xiao wanted to arrange for you to stay in the main villa, in the room where Xiao Yue used to live. Xiao Rui and Xiao Jin live nearby, so it would have been livelier.”

“But Xiao Yue suggested that you stay in the smaller villa instead. It’s rare for him to be so willful, and President Xiao agreed. I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with slightly smaller rooms there.”

Chi Xingwan smiled. “How could that be an inconvenience? I actually prefer staying in the smaller villa myself.”

Just then, Xiao Yue came down from the second floor.

“I heard you calling our names from all the way upstairs.”

Secretary He covered her mouth and chuckled. “Xiao Yue, take Xingwan upstairs. I still have some work to handle.”

After Secretary He left, Xiao Yue helped Chi Xingwan carry her luggage and led her upstairs. She did not know who had arranged it, but her room was directly opposite Xiao Yue’s, and their two balconies were connected.

Xiao Yue cleared his throat. “I was the one who asked Grandma to arrange for you to stay in the smaller villa.”

He had obviously heard what Secretary He had said.

“Mainly because I think Xiao Duo has been acting rather strange lately. It would be better for you to keep your distance from him,” he explained.

Chi Xingwan nodded seriously. “I understand.”

Xiao Yue looked slightly embarrassed. “I’m serious. Xiao Duo really has been acting abnormal lately.”

“What’s so abnormal about him?” Chi Xingwan asked, following his lead.

Xiao Yue grew even more awkward. “I found out that he recently went abroad with his mother. After they returned, he invested a large sum of money in his foundation.”

Chi Xingwan remembered Xiao Duo as she had seen him that day. The black aura around him had completely disappeared. Could it have something to do with that trip abroad?

Still, she was not particularly curious about Xiao Duo. As long as he did not affect the other members of the Xiao family, she could not be bothered to investigate further.

Chi Xingwan did not continue the conversation, and Xiao Yue tactfully brought the subject to an end.

At noon, Grandma Xiao organized another family banquet, formally announcing to everyone that Chi Xingwan would be staying in the smaller villa until the start of the new term.

At the dining table, Xiao Duo was indeed behaving strangely. Every now and then, he would deliberately or inadvertently glance at Chi Xingwan.

She simply pretended not to notice.

That afternoon, Xiao Rui brought Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming to the smaller villa. They claimed they had come to invite Chi Xingwan to afternoon tea, but in truth, they wanted to ask her to attend the esports all-star tournament five days later.

“Three members of our team made it into the top twenty of the popularity rankings,” Xiao Rui said proudly.

Xiao Ming replied expressionlessly, “What does that have to do with you?”

Xiao Rui thumped him. “How does it not? It proves that the team I’m part of is strong and popular. Once the new season begins after the New Year, I’ll be competing alongside them.”

Chi Xingwan checked the date. Five days later would be the day before New Year’s Eve, and the Spirit Master Association would be closed for the holiday as well. Since she had nothing else to do, she readily agreed to Xiao Rui’s invitation.